While getting married and having children are certainly worthy goals — I have done both, and highly recommend them — weddings today represent the most superficial aspects of those relationships. A wedding can be about families coming together to celebrate the love of two people, but now, too often, it’s about pricey dresses, lavish receptions and proving just how much of a show you can put on for your guests. The average U.S. couple spends over $27,000 on their wedding — a sum that could be a down payment on a house. And if you can’t really be a princess, don’t fret, you can purchase a wedding gown from Disney’s bridal boutique, where each dress is named after a Disney princess.

Now, I’m not totally immune to wedding fever. When I got married, I had a great time picking out invitations and trying on dresses. I enjoyed planning my wedding, but it was the marriage to follow that I was most excited about. And that’s what’s lost in America’s over-the-top wedding culture and the craze around the British royal wedding — the reality of what comes after. A long and healthy relationship has little to do with the pomp or cost of a wedding.

But seriously, we’re still not over the hats. Emma Barker breaks it down in our fashion commentary:

Spectators at next week’s Kentucky Derby might be rethinking their hat choices if they want to out-do the Brits’ stupendous royal wedding showing. Feathers, loops and frills hovered precariously above the ’dos of lesser-known noblewomen, while Camilla looked a bit like a Nilla Wafer.

While we celebrate the wedding of the century, let’s not forget that an historic tornado outbreak has hit the American South, killing over 300 people and leaving untold numbers missing. Deborah Hastings has the story on this tragedy.

THE DRESS! Designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, the gown is the embodiment of a quintessential princess, and Kate Middleton worked closely with Burton to formulate the look.Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose … and thistle … and daffodil … and shamrock. Who knew a size-2 frame could host so much detail?

THE TIARA! It’s the same one Queen Elizabeth received as a gift from her mother on her 18th birthday. Resembling a halo, it was made by Cartier in 1936 and purchased by The Duke of York for his Duchess three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King.

THE EARRINGS! Her parents gifted her these little diamond acorns that resemble her new coat of arms. Cute!

All week, our Sports desk has been rounding up the best all-time picks and biggest busts of the NFL Draft. Today, Chris Corbellini released his predictions for round 1. NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell also gave The Daily an inside look at the draft in a two-part video series (here and here). And in case you missed it, we’re bringing back all our regional previews.